Maharashtra Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam in a meeting today said that any shops across the state using plastic bags will be closed permanently. He issued a stern warning to those violating the plastic ban.

Residents in Mumbai taking out a demonstration against plastic use (File Photo)&nbsp | &nbspPhoto Credit:&nbspBCCL

Mumbai: In a meeting held today, Maharashtra Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam said that strict action will be taken against any shop in the state found using plastic bags. In the course of the meeting which was also attended by Yuva Sena chief Aditya Thackeray, the minister asserted that strong steps are being taken by the environment department to uphold the plastic ban.

Any shop found carrying plastic bags will be ‘closed permanently’, said Kadam while adding that all owners of all shops will be asked to fill up an affidavit which will state that they will no longer use plastic bags in their shops. Everyone has been given enough opportunities, now, the action has to go ahead, said Kadam.

The state-imposed plastic ban entered its final phase on October 2 which means that not just businessmen and shopkeepers but commoners found using plastic bags can be fined by the civic body’s officials and other officers who have been granted the authority to issue fines. The move is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ambition of making India plastic-free by 2022.

However, a report by Daily News and Analysis claims that officer employed with Mumbai’s civic body, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) are clueless about the decision taken by the state environment ministry to fine civilians found using plastic bags in public.
Sangita Hansale, chief of the market department of BMC told the publication that the officers are acting as per earlier guidelines. There isn't any fresh decision as of now, and even if there is, it did not reach us, added Hansale.

Shops using plastic bags will be 'closed permanently', says Maharashtra Environment ministerDescription:Maharashtra Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam in a meeting today said that any shops across the state using plastic bags will be closed permanently. He issued a stern warning to those violating the plastic ban.Times Now